While the road to the Final Four can be weaved down by Cinderella teams that are peaking at the perfect time, the March Madness semi-final will be determined by talent more than anything else. Regardless of how teams got to the big dance, all four teams that will play in Reliant Stadium this weekend have had the chance to rest and prepare for the big finale. Now more than ever, it will be the talent that shines through.
Critics were quick to jump on the Virginia Commonwealth Rams when they were allowed into the sports betting services tournament by voters, and for good reason. Regardless of what the team has done since, the Rams were not the best team available for that spot after finishing fourth in the Colonial conference. While George Mason and St. Mary’s may not have been able to match what VCU has done since the tournament opened, there is reason to think that the team’s run may be coming to an end. Head coach Shaka Smart has become a household name, and those that hated them being here are now pleased as well as mystified, but how much longer can the Rams continue to shoot the lights out? Their percentages from both the field and beyond the arc are way up from their regular season numbers, and while it may be true that they weren’t scouted enough and peaked at the right time, the clock may soon strike midnight.
Their Final Four opponent knows all too much about the clock striking midnight after the Butler Bulldogs were eliminated in last year’s national title game by the Duke Blue Devils. Butler peaked on their road to the top, but once they got there they just simply couldn’t match skill with a more talented betting services team from the ACC. Whether or not the Bulldogs will get the chance to complete their unfinished business this year or not is yet to be seen, but they should get their online sports betting chance after taking down VCU.
The other Final Four matchup is much more complicated, because both teams boast a ton of talent. The difference will be age and experience, as once again the Kentucky Wildcats have one of the youngest teams in the tournament. Freshman star Brandon Knight struggled in the tournament opener but has since calmed down, but could have his nerves tested again as they reboot for the Final Four. The same can’t be said for a Connecticut team that is led by junior Kemba Walker, who has been absolutely outstanding since the Big East pay per head tournament got underway. Walker will take the pressure off another freshman in teammate Jeremy Lamb, and if those two can perform the way they have throughout the tournament the Huskies should be bound for the championship game. After the way that they dominated Maui and the Big East, it’s fitting that the best team from the best conference earns a spot in the finals.
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Critics were quick to jump on the Virginia Commonwealth Rams when they were allowed into the sports betting services tournament by voters, and for good reason. Regardless of what the team has done since, the Rams were not the best team available for that spot after finishing fourth in the Colonial conference. While George Mason and St. Mary’s may not have been able to match what VCU has done since the tournament opened, there is reason to think that the team’s run may be coming to an end. Head coach Shaka Smart has become a household name, and those that hated them being here are now pleased as well as mystified, but how much longer can the Rams continue to shoot the lights out? Their percentages from both the field and beyond the arc are way up from their regular season numbers, and while it may be true that they weren’t scouted enough and peaked at the right time, the clock may soon strike midnight.
Their Final Four opponent knows all too much about the clock striking midnight after the Butler Bulldogs were eliminated in last year’s national title game by the Duke Blue Devils. Butler peaked on their road to the top, but once they got there they just simply couldn’t match skill with a more talented betting services team from the ACC. Whether or not the Bulldogs will get the chance to complete their unfinished business this year or not is yet to be seen, but they should get their online sports betting chance after taking down VCU.
The other Final Four matchup is much more complicated, because both teams boast a ton of talent. The difference will be age and experience, as once again the Kentucky Wildcats have one of the youngest teams in the tournament. Freshman star Brandon Knight struggled in the tournament opener but has since calmed down, but could have his nerves tested again as they reboot for the Final Four. The same can’t be said for a Connecticut team that is led by junior Kemba Walker, who has been absolutely outstanding since the Big East pay per head tournament got underway. Walker will take the pressure off another freshman in teammate Jeremy Lamb, and if those two can perform the way they have throughout the tournament the Huskies should be bound for the championship game. After the way that they dominated Maui and the Big East, it’s fitting that the best team from the best conference earns a spot in the finals.
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